Pot and utensil rest

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a pot and utensil rest, comprising a first generally planar support for holding a pot; and a second generally planar support attached to the first support and having a recess formed therein for holding a utensil. The second support is movable between a stowed position wherein the second support is placed over or into the first support, and an expanded position wherein the second support disengages from the first support for the holding of the utensil. The pot and utensil rest of the invention has a compact storage configuration while permitting the holding of multiple utensils.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a utensil rest, and more particularly, to a multiple utensil rest for holding cooking utensils and eating utensils, which has a compact storage configuration while permitting the holding of multiple utensils.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of utensil rests or holders have heretofore been provided. These utensil holders are provided for holding the eating utensils and/or pot lids, and reported, for example, in U.S. patent application no. US2003/0205645A1, U.S. patent application no. US2004/0262459A1, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,746B1.

US2003/0205645A1 discloses a spoon and lid rest, which has a utensil platform comprising first and second bowls serving as a rest for a spoon or other utensil, and a lid support attached to and extending upward from the utensil platform. This rest device is rather bulky and consumes considerable storage space because of the construction of the lid support.

US2004/0262459A1 discloses a cooking lid and utensil holder for use on a counter or table surface, which comprises a base, a first wall existing at a right angle and extending vertically at one end of said base, a second wall existing at a right angle and extending vertically at opposite end of said first wall, and a space existing between said first and second walls where a cooking lid is placed. The holder disclosed in this application does not allow for holding cooking utensils such as pots, pans and containers.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,746B1 teaches a multiple utensil rest which comprises a base with a recess for supporting the lower portions of various utensils, and a vertical C-shaped member extending from the base for supporting the upper portions of the utensils. Again, this multiple utensil rest is rather bulky and is not designed for holding cooking utensils such as pots, pans and containers.

Although a variety of utensil rest devices exist in the prior art, these devices are usually not very compact for storage purposes. Also, a combined rest for holding pots and other utensils has not been found yet.

Therefore, the invention entails the task of creating a novel utensil rest that is able to support the cooking utensils such as pots, pans and containers. The utensil rest according to the invention provides an improved stowable arrangement for saving storage space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed to fulfill the needs noted above and therefore has a principle object of the provision of a pot and utensil rest which is effective to not only support the cooking utensils such as pots, pans and the like, but also the eating utensils such as spoons, forks, knives, chopsticks and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pot and utensil rest which is of compact construction and, specifically, a part of the rest is movable to a compact storage configuration.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a pot and utensil rest which affords additional structural and operating advantages.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention are satisfied by providing a pot and utensil rest, comprising:

a first generally planar support for holding a pot; and

a second generally planar support attached to the first support and having a recess formed therein for holding a utensil;

wherein the second support is movable between a stowed position wherein the second support is placed over or into the first support, and an expanded position wherein the second support is expanded to disengage from the first support for the holding of the utensil.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second supports are interconnected by an elongated member provided with a flute through which the second support is foldable between the stowed position and the expanded position. Preferably, the first and second supports and the elongated member are of unitary one-piece construction and made of a flexible heat-resistant material, preferably silicon.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the first support is formed with a plurality of contoured segments that are arranged at equal angular interval along a circumference, and the second support is circular in shape. The first support could be formed with a wide range of different desirable patterns, so as to exhibit variability in configuration and/or appearance.

The first support advantageously has a central through hole or a central depression which is dimensioned and shaped to receive and substantially flush with the second support in the stowed position, such that the rest can provide the flush surface to support the pots, pans, containers or the like, even the second support is foldable into the stowed position.

In order that the pot and utensil rest of the invention serves as a pot lid rest, the elongated member may be provided with an extension adjacent to an inner side of the second support, the extension functions to supports a pot lid when a first end of the pot lid abuts against the extension, and a portion of the pot lid leans against the pot which rests on the first support. Preferably, the elongated member is formed to have a concave cross-section in order to retain drippings running off the pot lid.

In another embodiment of the invention, the second support is attached to the first support by a hinge mechanism, so that the second support is movable pivotably between the stowed position and the expanded position.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the second support has two guiding bulges at opposite sides, and the first support has a cavity with two guiding slots in which the guiding bulges engage and an insertion opening to permit the slidable movement of the second support within the cavity of the first support between the stowed position and the expanded position.

In a yet further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first support rotatably supports the second support about a rotation shaft such that the second support is rotatably movable between the stowed position wherein the second support is placed over the first support, and the expanded position wherein the second support is to hold the utensil.

Alternatively, the first support has a cavity with an insertion opening, and the second support is rotatably movable with respect to the first support about an rotation shaft such that the second support rotates into the cavity of the first support through the insertion opening to be received in the cavity in the stowed position and rotates out of the cavity in the expanded position.

In contrast to the utensil rests available in the prior art, the utensil rest of the invention allows the user to hold the pots, pans, bowls, containers and the like as well as the eating utensils such as spoons, forks, chopsticks. The utensil rest is configured for movement between a stowed position and an expanded position, thus allowing for less storage space.

To have a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the invention and embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pot and utensil rest constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, which is in expanded state.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the pot and utensil rest in expanded state shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the pot and utensil rest in stowed state shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pot and utensil rest shown in FIG. 1 with the spoon, the pot and the pot lid in place.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pot and utensil rest constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, which is in expanded state.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the pot and utensil rest in expanded state shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a left view of the pot and utensil rest shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pot and utensil rest constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, which is in stowed state.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the pot and utensil rest in expanded state shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the pot and utensil rest in expanded state shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the pot and utensil rest in stowed state shown in FIG. 9.

In the various figures of the drawings, like reference numbers are used to designate like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is illustrated and described in preferred embodiments, the pot and utensil rest may be produced in many different configurations, sizes, forms and materials.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5 provide a pot and utensil rest 100 constructed consistent with a first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the rest 100 comprises a first generally planar support 10, a second generally planar support 30, and an elongated flat member 50 for interconnecting the first support 10 and the second support 20. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the first support 10, the second support 30 and the elongated flat member 50 is of unitary one-piece construction, and made of a flexible heat-resistant material, such as silicon.

The first support 10 may be of any size, shape and configuration. In this embodiment, the first support 10 is dimensioned to receive the pot, and comprises four contoured segments 12 that are arranged at equal angular interval along a circumference to define petals of a flower, which is clearly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. A through hole 14 is formed in the central portion of the first support 10, and is dimensioned and shaped to accommodate the second support 30 so that the second support 30, when foldable to a stowed position, is substantially flush with the first support 10. With such a flush arrangement, the rest 100 can provide the flush surface to support the pots, pans, containers or the like, even the second support is in the stowed position. As an alternative to the central through hole 14, a depression may be formed in the central portion of the first support 10 to provide the flush arrangement, depending on the thickness of the second support 30.

The second support 30 may also be of any size, shape and configuration. In this embodiment, the second support 30 is substantially circular in shape, and has a shallow recess 32 therein, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The spoons, forks, chopsticks and the like can be arranged to rest within the shallow recess 32.

The first support 10 and the second support 30 are interconnected by the elongated flat member 50. A flute 52 is provided at the upside of the elongated flat member 50. Because the rest 100 is made of a flexible material, the second support 30 is foldable through the flute 52 between a stowed position wherein the second support 30 is placed over and flush with the first support 10, and an expanded position wherein the second support 30 disengages from the first support 10, and is ready for the holding of the spoons 24, forks, chopsticks and the like.

The elongated flat member 50 is further provided with an extension 54 adjacent to an inner side of the second support 30. The extension 54 extends upward from the elongated flat member 50 and functions to support a pot lid 22 when a first end of the pot lid 22 abuts against the extension 54, and a portion of the pot lid 22 leans against the pot 20 which rests on the first support 10, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the elongated flat member 50 may be formed to have a concave cross-section, such that a channel 56 exists on a top surface of the elongated flat member 50 to receive drippings that run off the pot lid when it is supported on the rest 100. The drippings can be retained in the channel 56 for disposal at a later time. This can avoid the contamination of countertops or table tops.

The rest 100 can also be made of a rigid heat-resistant material such as plastics. In this case, a hinge mechanism (not shown) may be used to interconnect the first support 10 and the second support 30, so that the second support 30 is movable pivotably between the stowed position and the expanded position.

FIGS. 6 to 8 provide a pot and utensil rest constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. The rest 100 comprises a first support 10 and a second support 30 that can be slidable within the first support 10. The first support 10 is substantially rectangular in shape, and has a cavity with two opposite guiding slots 12 and a front insertion opening 14. The second support 30 is also of rectangular configuration and has two guiding bulges 32 at opposite sides. The two guiding bulges 32 engage with the guiding slots 12 respectively for guiding the movement of the second support 30. The cavity, the guiding slots 12 and the insertion opening 14 correspond in size and shape to the second support 30 and the guiding bulges 32, so as to permit the slidable movement of the second support within the cavity of the first support 10 between the stowed position wherein the second support 30 is fully inserted into the first support for space saving, and the expanded position wherein the second support is pulled out of the first support for the holding of the utensils.

Apart from the above distinctions, the rest of this embodiment is structurally same as the one shown in the first embodiment above.

FIGS. 9 to 12 provide a pot and utensil rest constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention. The rest 100 comprises a first support 10 and a second support 30, both of which are substantially circular in shape, and the second support 30 is rotatably movable with respect to the first support 10 about a rotation shaft 60. The rotation shaft 60 extends through a side of the second supports 30 and is fixed at its two ends on the upper and lower of the first support 10, respectively. In particular, the first support 10 has a cavity 16 with an insertion opening 18, the cavity 16 is shaped and dimensioned such that the second support 30 can rotate about the rotation shaft 60 into the cavity 16 through the insertion opening 18 and is received in the cavity 16, where the second support 30 is in stowed position. The second support 30 can rotate about the rotation shaft 60 out of the cavity 16 through the insertion opening 18 for the holding of the utensils, where the second support 30 is in use position.

Alternatively, the first support rotatably supports the second support about a rotation shaft such that the second support is rotatably movable between the stowed position wherein the second support is placed over the first support, and the expanded position wherein the second support is to hold the utensil. The rotation shaft extends through the first support and the second support sequentially.

It would be appreciated that the pot and utensil rest of the invention may comprise a third support attached to one of the first and second supports and for holding a further utensil. Obviously, the pot and utensil rest may comprise more supports for holding more utensils, if desired.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved pot and utensil rest which is a simple design and allows for simultaneously supporting the cooking utensils such as pots, pans, containers, and the eating utensils such as spoons, forks, chopsticks. The rest of the invention provides a compact storage configuration which is not found in the prior art.

While the embodiments described herein are intended as exemplary pot and utensil rests, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations and modifications by means of the skilled person's common knowledge without departing from the scope of the invention, however, such variations and modifications should fall into the scope of this invention. 

1. A pot and utensil rest, comprising: a first generally planar support for holding a pot; and a second generally planar support attached to the first support and having a recess formed therein for holding a utensil, wherein the second support is movable between a stowed position wherein the second support is placed over or into the first support, and an expanded position wherein the second support disengages from the first support for holding of the utensil; wherein the first support has a central through hole or a central depression which is dimensioned and shaped to receive the second support in the stowed position so that the second support is substantially flush with the first support.
 2. The pot and utensil rest as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an elongated member provided with a flute, so that the first and second supports are interconnected by the elongated member and the second support is foldable through the flute to move between the stowed position and the expanded position.
 3. The pot and utensil rest as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second supports and the elongated member are of unitary one-piece construction.
 4. The pot and utensil rest as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first support is formed with a plurality of contoured segments that are arranged at equal angular interval along a circumference, and the second support is circular in shape.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The pot and utensil rest as claimed in claim 2, wherein the elongated member is provided with an extension adjacent to an inner side of the second support, and the extension is adapted to support a pot lid, when an end of the pot lid abuts against the extension and a portion of the pot lid leans against the pot which rests on the first support.
 7. The pot and utensil rest as claimed in claim 6, wherein the elongated member is formed to have a concave cross-section to create a channel toward the second support, so that the channel is adapted to retain drippings running off the pot lid.
 8. The pot and utensil rest as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rest is made of flexible heat-resistant materials, including silicon.
 9. The pot and utensil rest as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second support is attached to the first support by a hinge mechanism, so that the second support is movable pivotably between the stowed position and the expanded position. 10-12. (canceled)
 13. The pot and utensil rest as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a third support attached to one of the first and second supports for holding a further utensil.
 14. A pot and utensil rest, comprising: a first generally planar support for holding a pot; and a second generally planar support attached to the first support and having a recess formed therein for holding a utensil, wherein the second support is movable between a stowed position wherein the second support is placed into the first support, and an expanded position wherein the second support disengages from the first support for holding of the utensil; and wherein the first support has a central through hole which is dimensioned and shaped to receive the second support in the stowed position so that the second support is substantially flush with the first support. 